Severe Weather

Muddy Jazz Fest doesn't faze fans

A morning downpour has left a lot of mud at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, even though the opening was delayed about an hour while crews with bulldozers dumped sand onto the squishiest areas.

Heath Turpen of Florence, Ala., walked the grounds barefoot on Friday. He said Jazz Fest was a mud fest. He laughed, saying you don't need shoes to enjoy the music.

Katrina Robert of Gatineau, Canada, kicked off her shoes and danced in the mud to the bluesy reggae-infused music of Brushy One-String of Jamaica.

Many people took in the music from the dry ground under big tents.

Roots singer Spencer Bohren drew cheers and applause for "Hallelujah," which he sang while playing a lap steel guitar.